Loudoun hired a new gifted education supervisor last summer, and there is talk of an overhaul of the gifted education programs, both Futura and Spectrum.

Anonymous wrote:I have been looking at an elem in Ashburn and the webpage describes Futura as a one-day a week (the whole day) program where kids are taken to a center for a full day of futura programs on that day. So, if your school is assigned Tues, that is the day the G/T kids go to the Futura center for the day.

Is anyone familiar with this? This does not sound like level 2 AAP in Ffx... which is 45 min. /week (when they feel like it).

Loudoun Level 3 (FUTURA/SPECTRUM) is roughly equivalent to FCPS AAP Level IV Center services
Loudoun Level 2 (differentiated instruction) is roughly equivalent to FCPS AAP Level II/III services

See Loudoun's Local Plan for the Gifted:
http://www.lcps.org/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/49/Local%20Plan%20for%20Gifted%20Ed%20062112%20DRAFT.pdf

compared to FCPS Local Plan for the Gifted:
http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/localplan/FinalLocalPlan.pdf

I have been looking at an elem in Ashburn and the webpage describes Futura as a one-day a week (the whole day) program where kids are taken to a center for a full day of futura programs on that day. So, if your school is assigned Tues, that is the day the G/T kids go to the Futura center for the day.

Is anyone familiar with this? This does not sound like level 2 AAP in Ffx... which is 45 min. /week (when they feel like it).

OP, I have two kids in AAP and my sister has one in the FUTURA program. We both agree that the AAP program and far and away superior. My niece only gets pull outs a few times per week. The AAP program is an advanced math curriculum and it got more in depth in other subjects. They also use Caesar's English which is a fantastic way for a child to understand roots/prefixes/suffixes to be able to decipher the meaning of words they have never encountered. FUTURA is similar to level II pullouts at FCPS. My sister loves Loudoun Co. It has more family activities and the community where she lives is gorgeous, with so many things to do as a family. She'll take that community aspect of Loudoun over a full AAP program any day. I agree with her, there are many ways to enrich a child outside of school. Unfortunately with our jobs living in Loudoun would make for an insane commute.

Loudoun's rapid growth has caused lots of problems in the school system. It is impossible to find decent, qualified teachers so the school system is hiring people that shouldn't be hired to teach. They are also promoting people into admin positions who shouldn't be promoted.

Anonymous wrote:There is no AAP in Loudoun. It's a program called Futura and it's a pull out, rather than a full on program.

And it's a joke.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its easier to get into AAP in Fairfax. You may find yourself battling to get your child into the gifted program in Loudoun.

What if your child is already in AAP and you move to Loudoun? Does it transfer then?

You would need to check with the program director, but I've heard that they accept transfers. There is likely a vetting process, especially since they have limited space.

Anonymous wrote:Loudoun has some great schools. So does Fairfax. I'd choose based on where you'd be most comfortable living as opposed to some gifted type program that may not even exist in it's current form in the future.

What gifted type program in Loudoun are you suggesting may not exist in its current form in the future?

Loudoun has some great schools. So does Fairfax. I'd choose based on where you'd be most comfortable living as opposed to some gifted type program that may not even exist in it's current form in the future.

Since you're asking the question on the AAP page, which is part of Fairfax County Public Schools, expect to get a very one-sided perspective.

Anonymous wrote:There is no AAP in Loudoun. It's a program called Futura and it's a pull out, rather than a full on program.

Yes, from what I understand my friend's bright daughter gets pulled our only a couple of hours a week for the Futura program. It is like a level 2 AAP, because level 3s at our school get pulled out every day for 1 or 2 hours. That is more than the Futura program.

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Anonymous wrote:What comments do you all have on Loudoun vs Fairfax education for gifted students. Moving this summer with a rising kindergarten student and trying to decide between counties. For what it's worth, we would only be able to afford Herndon or Reston in ffx co.

What about the Burke/West Springfield area? If you can afford Herndon or Reston, you can afford Burke or West Springfield also. Schools are very good there and you'd have some more choices.

We have another child in a specialty school in Tysons, so need to stay within a good driving distance.

Why are you picking housing based on gifted education when that "gifted education" may or may not come to be for your child who must be somewhere around the age of 4?

It is not soley based on this, but gifted education programs are one factor I'm researching in the process. Didn't think this was the right forum to ask about appreciation and such... . We do believe she will fall into a gifted category based on family history and an already demonstrated curiosity and ability to grasp complex concepts.

Hmmmm

OP, to ensure your child is gifted as a kindergartener, you'll need to do a WISC if you haven't already to have some documentation on their gifted qualities that is transferable. There are plenty of "gifted kindergarteners" in Fairfax that don't get into the AAP program and I'm sure the same goes for Loudoun. Fairfax has some pullouts depending on the school before 3rd grade, but it can be hit or miss depending on the school's budget that year and the makeup of the students. Their gifted AAP program starts in 3rd grade.

Fairfax just has more programs and opportunities than Loudoun. Loudoun is much more of a one-size-fits-all philosophy.

There is no AAP in Loudoun. It's a program called Futura and it's a pull out, rather than a full on program.